I Became an Evolving Lizard in a Martial Arts Novel-Chapter 289

"Are you recovering well?"

My master spoke to me as I lay limp.

"Geh-ek."

Recovery was going well.

The internal energy my master had slurped away wasn’t insignificant, but it was manageable thanks to the special meals he prepared for me every day.

I suppose he still remembered the commotion I caused when he threw a Death Worm at me for food. This time, he made sure to give me things that were actually edible.

He kept muttering that lizards shouldn’t eat things like this, but that only applied to normal lizards.

A lizard like me could handle even Dongpo pork just fine.

The problem was that there was never enough of it.

Taking advantage of my small frame, I enjoyed my seemingly endless supply of Dongpo pork while also soaking in an herbal bath made from the medicinal plants gathered by the Heavenly Demon Cult.

The water was a bit too hot, but not to the point of death, so I just endured it.

My master didn’t throw away the water I bathed in. Instead, he collected it in one place.

Why was he saving it?

Was it because the water was boiled with medicinal herbs, so he didn’t want to waste it?

Master, I get that you’re frugal, but isn’t this a bit much?

I couldn’t help but notice him sipping some strange tea after I finished bathing, but I didn’t ask what it was.

Surely, he wasn’t brewing tea using me...

There was no way he developed a strange addiction after tasting my tail, right?

Sometimes, he would stare at me intently and try to peel off my scales one by one, but I chose to believe there was no deeper meaning behind it.

For a while, I focused on recovery alongside my master.

Even the bitter herbs he kept shoving into my mouth were somewhat bearable when eaten with the rice cakes sponsored by Seolhwa.

Of course, Seolhwa would occasionally visit, demanding an explanation for what was happening, but my master deceived her without batting an eye.

Seolhwa’s gaze was locked onto the honey smeared around my mouth rather than my master, but what could she do? If my master said no, then it was no.

And so, after successfully fending off the rice cake thief, Baek Seolhwa, I enjoyed peaceful days.

The spider sisters were particularly obedient to my master.

Was it instinct? Did they recognize his strength?

Or did they understand that he was my superior based on our relationship?

Pus and Tus, who would normally bicker with Soyeong whenever they had the chance, were now behaving like refined noble ladies.

Nephila, in particular, was carefully weaving something with her silk, probably preparing a gift for my master.

Surprisingly, she even used white feathers as material, which she had "borrowed" from Jaekjaeki.

Judging by Jaekjaeki’s expression, though, it seemed less like a willing donation and more like a temporary "loan," much like Seolhwa’s rice cakes.

During the day, I trained alongside the cult members, practicing the internal energy cultivation technique I could still manage in my current form.

At night, I naturally slithered my way into my master’s room.

“I apologize. What kind of pathetic master needs to keep his disciple beside him to sleep?”

“Keroong... Gerororong...”

I let out a lizard’s cry of understanding.

Not that I minded.

Honestly, I couldn’t ask for anything better than this.

The tail my master consumed this time contained the energy of the Small Demonic Art.

Maybe because it was Gomodo’s martial art, but the Yin energy mixed in was strong enough that even my master couldn’t completely disregard it.

With such energy inside me, it was no wonder my tail kept getting cut off.

A warrior of my master’s caliber could have simply meditated and circulated his energy to recover, but instead, he chose a different method.

Sleeping next to a lizard brimming with Yang energy.

“Gerong.”

I constantly adjusted my size, faithfully serving as his living bamboo pillow.

Of course, it wasn’t always easy.

Lately, my master had been talking in his sleep.

Sometimes, he’d bite me. Other times, he’d grip me tightly and refuse to let go.

Not that I took much damage, thanks to my body being reinforced at the Flower’s Vision level.

“Keh-hack, kuhk... Kerorong...”

“...You are recovering, aren’t you?”

I quickly put on a serene expression.

This level of pain was expected.

“Yes. It seems your condition has improved significantly.”

My master tapped the floor lightly.

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

He seemed to be calling me over, so I scampered toward him on my two legs.

“Do you know what kind of place the Heavenly Demon Cult is?”

“Gek?”

Looks like this was going to be a serious conversation.

“The Heavenly Demon Cult stands alone against all the forces of the Central Plains.”

He stroked my tail gently as he continued.

“We have never complained. They oppose us, so we simply wield our own power. The cult’s influence is spread throughout the entire Central Plains.”

In other words, the Heavenly Demon Cult had infiltrated the Nine Great Schools and the Five Supreme Clans.

Despite being located deep within the Mountains of Ten Thousand Beasts, the cult received information faster than most.

“I’ve been hearing troubling news. Normally, I wouldn’t share this with a disciple, but since you are a sect leader and have reached the Flower’s Vision level, I decided you should know.”

“Gekek!”

Why hide anything between us?

Troubling news, huh? I could already make a good guess.

“War is brewing. The Martial Alliance has been formed, and their goal is obvious.”

The Martial Alliance.

So it’s finally happening.

Al-Yu’s interest in the Mountains of Ten Thousand Beasts, Jinryong’s subordinates personally showing up—these were all signs.

The reconnaissance phase was over.

After all, they had already dealt with two spiritual beasts at the Super Peak level. There was no way they wouldn’t have figured out who I was by now.

And considering there was no news about Namgoong Yeon being captured, it was possible he had sided with Jinryong.

“But it’s not entirely unfavorable. The Mount Hua Sect has sided with the Heavenly Demon Cult, and the Tang Clan has voiced opposition to the invasion.”

If Jinryong made a move, he wouldn’t stop at me—he’d also try to eliminate my master and the Heavenly Demon Cult.

Aside from my master’s raw strength, the cult carried the will of the Heavenly Demon, something Jinryong despised.

But even for Jinryong, attacking both my master and Gomodo at the same time was unrealistic.

That’s why they formed the Martial Alliance.

“In addition, the Shaolin Sect has also declared its neutrality.”

Shaolin is staying out of it?

They won’t take our side, but they also won’t attack us.

It must be because I took in Iron-Clad Dragon.

“Shaolin, which should be the pillar of the Central Plains, is sitting this one out. They must have realized something is off.”

Mount Hua’s shift was understandable since their sect leader had died and the Red Dragon took over. The Tang Clan’s decision was also unsurprising, given their independent nature.

But Shaolin’s neutrality?

That was going to shake things up.

“Without Shaolin, they’re just a disorderly rabble. They may be larger than our cult, but they won’t be willing to risk everything in a life-or-death battle. They’ll hesitate to reveal their strongest cards.”

In the martial world, the attacking side is always at a disadvantage.

The Central Plains is vast.

Even with martial artists’ movement techniques, traveling back and forth wouldn’t be easy.

And wars don’t end overnight.

They require supplies over an extended period.

Moving supplies across such a wide region?

Even if they miraculously succeeded in securing supplies and ultimately won the war, they would gain nothing from it.

Anyone with a shred of sanity wouldn’t dare attack the Heavenly Demon Cult.

Without a resolve to fight to the death, they wouldn’t win. And even if they did, more than half of the Central Plains would be destroyed in the process.

“Normally, they wouldn’t even think about it, but for some reason, they’ve decided to haul their heavy asses off the ground. As if they suddenly have a reason to attack the cult.”

It had to be Jinryong’s doing.

The justification was flawless.

Gomodo, known as a ferocious beast, was aligned with the universally despised Heavenly Demon Cult.

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The Central Plains, obsessed with legitimacy, wouldn’t be able to ignore that.

Of course, just because they were moving didn’t mean they were giving it their all.

“If we locked our gates and killed a few vanguards, I thought they’d turn back on their own. That’s how it’s always been. But this time, something feels different. The martial artists themselves are the same, but the movements of the spirit beasts are unusual.”

With Shaolin stepping out of the picture, the martial artists wouldn’t launch a proper assault.

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There were methods, of course—brainwashing them or feeding them something like Dragon Gall to make them go berserk. But if that was discovered, it would immediately lead to internal strife.

However, Jinryong’s spirit beasts were also participating.

The Martial Alliance would strike the Heavenly Demon Cult.

The spirit beasts would strike Gae Gak Sect.

That was Jinryong’s plan.

“Don’t be too concerned. What you’ve seen of the cult’s strength isn’t even ten percent of its full power.”

My master spoke in a reassuring tone.

When it came to him, there was no need for doubt.

The Heavenly Demon Cult wasn’t just strong because of my master.

It was a group of warriors hardened by years of fighting against the entire martial world—a place where only the strongest survived.

“To prepare for this war, I, too, will give it my all. I don’t intend to stop at merely repelling our enemies.”

His blue eyes gleamed.

Up until now, my master had remained still, but things were different now.

Jinryong had drawn his sword first, using the Martial Alliance as his blade. There was no reason for my master to sit back any longer.

“And that effort includes you, Hui, and your growth.”

“Gek!”

Of course.

It would’ve been disappointing if I were left out.

I was a little worried he’d tell me to stay behind, but at my current level, even my master couldn’t dismiss me.

Not only was my individual strength noteworthy, but the spirit beasts of Gae Gak Sect were strong enough to act as vanguard leaders.

Unlike humans, they could unleash attacks infused with nature itself.

In one-on-one combat, human-like forms had advantages, but in large-scale war, each spirit beast was practically a strategic weapon.

Just using the power of the Dragon Gate could instantly neutralize any martial artist below the Super Peak level.

“I waited for your body to fully recover for this reason. An opponent suited for you has appeared nearby. Go and take them down.”

It was like when I first met the Serpent Queen—a sort of request.

“A spirit beast from Jinryong’s side has been spotted around the Mountains of Ten Thousand Beasts. Their goal is obvious—to establish a foothold. A spirit beast is always stronger within its own territory.”

Stop them from building a base and defeat the vanguard they sent.

I had been wondering how strong my body had become, and now I had the perfect opportunity to test it.

“There are two opponents. To be precise, two spirit beasts at a level worthy of being your match. So I suggest you don’t go alone—take some of your followers with you.”

That was probably the better option.

If I fed them the Neidan we obtained there, our overall strength would increase.

Now, the question was—who should I take?

Docheol? Cho-Do? Baekrang?

Or maybe it was finally time for a date with the Serpent Queen.

I hadn’t seen Shik-Shik’s face in a while, either...

Hehehe, those shimmering scales...

“What’s with that expression?”

“Gek.”

Nothing. Nothing at all.

“I don’t think my disciple will lose, but don’t underestimate them. One is said to have been born with thunder, and the other is the ruler of eternal snow—the Thunder Roc and the Ice Dragon.”

The Thunder Roc and the Ice Dragon.

...Wait.

I’d heard of them before.

“Yes. That’s why I’m entrusting this to you.”

My master gave a slight nod.

He knew about them, too.

That’s why he wasn’t handling it himself but sending me instead.

“They have a deep connection with the Red Dragon.”

The ones who killed her parents.

The ones who forced her to part ways with her younger sibling.

“She should be returning soon. And she’ll be bringing fire with her.”

The Martial Alliance had already been formed.

The reason the Red Dragon was sent to Mount Hua was to interfere and delay things as much as possible.

Now that her mission was complete, she would be making her way back.

Knowing her personality, she’d leave a trail of flames in her wake.

The choice of how to approach this mission—and who to take with me—was now obvious.

I didn’t need to worry about compatibility.

I was the Divine Beast of Gae Gak Sect.

And it was my duty to avenge my follower’s enemies.

“On top of that, they’ve taken up residence in the hot springs Seolhwa likes. If you take them down, you might get a proper reward.”

So that’s why.

No wonder he never took me there, no matter how much I stared at him with my triangular face!

That explains everything.

My motivation surged.

The Thunder Roc and the Ice Dragon.

I would never forgive them.

“Kerororororororong.”

Master. Seolhwa. The Red Dragon.

And the hot springs.

This lizard is about to eat good!